Clutch device and motorcycle
A clutch device includes a clutch center holding output-side rotating plates alternately arranged with input-side rotating plates, and a pressure plate movable toward or away from the clutch center. The pressure plate includes pressure-side fitting teeth holding the output-side rotating plates. The clutch center includes center-side fitting teeth holding the output-side rotating plates. In a half-clutch state, a portion of one of the center-side fitting teeth overlap with a portion of one of the pressure-side fitting teeth when seen in the radial directions of an output shaft.
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This application claims the benefit of priority to Japanese Patent Application No. 2022-109218 filed on Jul. 6, 2022 and Japanese Patent Application No. 2022-172870 filed on Oct. 28, 2022. The entire contents of these applications are hereby incorporated herein by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the InventionThe present disclosure relates to a clutch device and a motorcycle. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to a clutch device that arbitrarily allows or interrupts transfer of a rotation driving force of an input shaft that is rotationally driven by a prime mover such as an engine to an output shaft, and also relates to a motorcycle including the clutch device.
2. Description of the Related ArtConventional vehicles such as motorcycles include clutch devices. A clutch device is disposed between an engine and a drive wheel and allows or interrupts transfer of a rotation driving force of the engine to the drive wheel. The clutch device generally includes a plurality of input-side rotating plates that rotate by a rotation driving force of an engine and a plurality of output-side rotating plates connected to an output shaft that transfers the rotation driving force to a drive wheel. The input-side rotating plates and the output-side rotating plates are alternately arranged in a stacking direction, and the input-side rotating plates and the output-side rotating plates are brought into pressure contact with each other and are separated from each other so that transfer of a rotation driving force is allowed or interrupted.
Japanese Patent No. 6903020, for example, discloses a clutch device including a clutch center (clutch member) that holds output-side rotating plates (driven-side clutch plates), and a pressure plate (pressure member) movable toward or away from the clutch center. The pressure plate is configured to press the input-side rotating plates and the output-side rotating plates. In this manner, the clutch device includes an assembly of the clutch center and the pressure plate.
In the clutch device of Japanese Patent No. 6903020, as portions holding the output-side rotating plates, the clutch center includes center-side fitting teeth (outer peripheral wall including splines), and the pressure plate includes pressure-side fitting teeth. In a state where the clutch center and the pressure plate are assembled, the center-side fitting teeth and the pressure-side fitting teeth overlap with each other in the radial direction.
When the pressure plate is separated from the clutch center, a gap can be formed between the pressure-side fitting teeth and the center-side fitting teeth in the direction in which the pressure plate moves (i.e., axial direction of the output shaft). In this case, for example, clutch oil flowing in the clutch center flows to the outside through the gap, and thus, clutch oil does not easily flow to the output-side rotating plates held by the pressure plate, disadvantageously.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONPreferred embodiments of the present disclosure provide clutch devices each capable of supplying a larger amount of clutch oil to output-side rotating plates held by pressure-side fitting teeth of a pressure plate, and motorcycles including such clutch devices.
A clutch device according to a preferred embodiment of the present disclosure is a clutch device to allow or interrupt transfer of a rotation driving force to an output shaft, and includes a clutch center housed in a clutch housing holding a plurality of input-side rotating plates to be rotationally driven by rotational driving of the input shaft, the clutch center being operable to hold a plurality of output-side rotating plates and to be rotationally driven together with the output shaft, the input-side rotating plates and the output-side rotating plates being alternately arranged, and a pressure plate movable toward or away from the clutch center and rotatable relative to the clutch center to press the input-side rotating plates and the output-side rotating plates, wherein the pressure plate includes a plurality of pressure-side fitting teeth holding at least one of the output-side rotating plates and arranged in circumferential directions, the clutch center includes an output shaft holding portion to which the output shaft is coupled, an outer peripheral wall located radially outward of the output shaft holding portion, and a plurality of center-side fitting teeth holding the output-side rotating plates, projecting radially outward from an outer peripheral surface of the outer peripheral wall, and arranged in circumferential directions, and in the half-clutch state, a portion of one of the center-side fitting teeth overlap with a portion of one of the pressure-side fitting teeth when seen in radial directions of the output shaft.
In a clutch device according to a preferred embodiment of the present disclosure, in the half-clutch state, a portion of one of the center-side fitting teeth overlap with a portion of one of the pressure-side fitting teeth when seen in the radial directions of the output shaft. That is, in the half-clutch state, no gap is formed between the pressure-side fitting teeth and the center-side fitting teeth in the direction in which the pressure plate moves, and thus, clutch oil flowing in the clutch center does not flow directly to the outside and flows to the pressure plate, for example. As a result, a larger amount of clutch oil is supplied to the output-side rotating plates held by the pressure plate.
Another clutch device according to a preferred embodiment of the present disclosure is a clutch device to allow or interrupt transfer of a rotation driving force of an input shaft to an output shaft, and includes a clutch center housed in a clutch housing holding a plurality of input-side rotating plates to be rotationally driven by rotational driving of the input shaft, the clutch center being operable to hold a plurality of output-side rotating plates and to be rotationally driven together with the output shaft, the input-side rotating plates and the output-side rotating plates being alternately arranged, and a pressure plate movable toward or away from the clutch center and rotatable relative to the clutch center to press the input-side rotating plates and the output-side rotating plates, wherein the pressure plate includes a plurality of pressure-side fitting teeth holding at least one of the output-side rotating plates and arranged in circumferential directions, the clutch center includes an output shaft holding portion to which the output shaft is coupled, an outer peripheral wall located radially outward of the output shaft holding portion, and a plurality of center-side fitting teeth holding the output-side rotating plates, projecting radially outward from an outer peripheral surface of the outer peripheral wall, and arranged in circumferential directions, and in a clutch disengaged state, a portion of one of the center-side fitting teeth overlap with a portion of one of the pressure-side fitting teeth when seen in radial directions of the output shaft.
In a clutch device according to a preferred embodiment of the present disclosure, in a clutch disengaged state, a portion of one of the center-side fitting teeth overlap with a portion of one of the pressure-side fitting teeth when seen in the radial directions of the output shaft. That is, in the clutch disengaged state, no gap is formed between the pressure-side fitting teeth and the center-side fitting teeth in the direction in which the pressure plate moves, and thus, clutch oil flowing in the clutch center does not flow directly to the outside and flows to the pressure plate, for example. As a result, a larger amount of clutch oil is supplied to the output-side rotating plates held by the pressure plate.
In yet another clutch device according to a preferred embodiment of the present disclosure is a clutch device to allow or interrupt a rotation driving force of an input shaft to an output shaft, and includes a clutch center housed in a clutch housing holding a plurality of input-side rotating plates to be rotationally driven by rotational driving of the input shaft, the clutch center being operable to hold a plurality of output-side rotating plates and to be rotationally driven together with the output shaft, the input-side rotating plates and the output-side rotating plates being alternately arranged, a pressure plate movable toward or away from the clutch center and rotatable relative to the clutch center to press the input-side rotating plates and the output-side rotating plates, and a stopper plate operable to contact the pressure plate and to suppress separation of the pressure plate from the clutch center by a predetermined distance or more, wherein the pressure plate includes a plurality of pressure-side fitting teeth holding at least one of the output-side rotating plates and arranged in circumferential directions, the clutch center includes an output shaft holding portion to which the output shaft is coupled, an outer peripheral wall located radially outward of the output shaft holding portion, and a plurality of center-side fitting teeth holding the output-side rotating plates, projecting radially outward from an outer peripheral surface of the outer peripheral wall, and arranged in circumferential directions, and in a state where the pressure plate is in contact with the stopper plate, a portion of one of the center-side fitting teeth overlap with a portion of one of the pressure-side fitting teeth when seen in radial directions of the output shaft.
In a clutch device according to a preferred embodiment of the present disclosure, in a state where the pressure plate is in contact with the stopper plate, a portion of one of the center-side fitting teeth overlap with a portion of one of the pressure-side fitting teeth when seen in the radial directions of the output shaft. That is, in the state where the pressure plate is in contact with the stopper plate, no gap is formed between the pressure-side fitting teeth and the center-side fitting teeth in the direction in which the pressure plate moves, and thus, clutch oil flowing in the clutch center does not flow directly to the outside and flows to the pressure plate, for example. As a result, a larger amount of clutch oil is supplied to the output-side rotating plates held by the pressure plate.
Preferred embodiments of the present disclosure provide clutch devices each capable of supplying a larger amount of clutch oil to output-side rotating plates held by pressure-side fitting teeth of a pressure plate.
The above and other elements, features, steps, characteristics and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments with reference to the attached drawings.
Clutch devices according to preferred embodiments of the present disclosure will be described hereinafter with reference to the drawings. The preferred embodiments described herein are, of course, not intended to particularly limit the present disclosure. Elements and features having the same functions are denoted by the same reference characters, and description for the same elements and features will not be repeated or will be simplified as appropriate.
First Preferred EmbodimentIn the following description, directions in which a pressure plate 70 of the clutch device 10 is movable toward and away from the clutch center 40 will be referred to as directions D (an example of a movement direction), a direction in which the pressure plate 70 moves toward the clutch center 40 will be referred to as a first direction D1, and a direction in which the pressure plate 70 is movable away from the clutch center 40 will be referred to as a second direction D2. Circumferential directions of the clutch center 40 and the pressure plate 70 will be referred to as circumferential directions S, one of the circumferential direction S from one pressure-side cam portion 90 to another pressure-side cam portion 90 will be referred to as a first circumferential direction S1 (see
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The clutch housing 30 is made of an aluminum alloy. The clutch housing 30 has a bottomed cylindrical shape. As illustrated in
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The input-side rotating plates 20 are rotationally driven by rotational driving of the input shaft. As illustrated in
The input-side rotating plates 20 are pushed against the output-side rotating plates 22. The input-side rotating plates 20 are ring-shaped flat plates. Each of the input-side rotating plates 20 is shaped by punching a thin plate of a steel plate cold commercial (SPCC) material into a ring shape. Friction members (not shown) of a plurality of paper sheets are attached to the front and back surfaces of the input-side rotating plates 20. A groove with a depth of several micrometers to several tens of micrometers is formed between the friction members to hold clutch oil.
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The output shaft holding portion 50 has a cylindrical shape. The output shaft holding portion 50 has an insertion hole 51 in which the output shaft 15 is inserted and spline-fitted. The insertion hole 51 penetrates the base wall 43. An inner peripheral surface 50A of the output shaft holding portion 50 defining the insertion hole 51 includes a plurality of spline grooves formed along the axial direction. The output shaft 15 is coupled to the output shaft holding portion 50.
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The output-side rotating plates 22 are held by the spline fitting portion 46 of the clutch center 40 and the pressure plate 70. A portion of the output-side rotating plates 22 is held by the center-side fitting teeth 47 of the clutch center 40 and the spline grooves 48 by spline fitting. Another portion of the output-side rotating plates 22 is held by a pressure-side fitting teeth 77 (see
The output-side rotating plates 22 are pushed against the input-side rotating plates 20. The output-side rotating plates 22 are ring-shaped flat plates. Each of the output-side rotating plates 22 is shaped by punching a thin plate of an SPCC material into a ring shape. The front and back surfaces of the output-side rotating plates 22 have grooves with depths of several micrometers to several tens of micrometers, for example, to hold clutch oil. The front and back surfaces of the output-side rotating plates 22 are subjected to a surface hardening treatment to enhance abrasion resistance. The friction members provided on the input-side rotating plates 20 may be provided on the output-side rotating plates 22 instead of the input-side rotating plates 20, or may be provided on both the input-side rotating plates 20 and the output-side rotating plates 22.
Each of the center-side cam portions 60 has a trapezoidal shape including a cam surface of a slope defining an assist & slipper (registered trademark) mechanism that generates an assist torque as a force of increasing a pressing force (contact pressure force) between the input-side rotating plates 20 and the output-side rotating plates 22 or a slipper torque as a force of separating the input-side rotating plates 20 and the output-side rotating plates 22 from each other early and shifting these plates into a half-clutch state. The center-side cam portions 60 project from the base wall 43 in the second direction D2. As illustrated in
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The cylindrical portion 80 has a cylindrical shape. The cylindrical portion 80 is integrally formed with the pressure-side cam portions 90. The cylindrical portion 80 houses the distal end 15T of the output shaft 15 (see
Each of the pressure-side cam portions 90 is formed in a trapezoidal shape having a cam surface of a slope constituting an assist & slipper (registered trademark) mechanism that slides on the center-side cam portions 60 and generates an assist torque or a slipper torque. The pressure-side cam portions 90 project from the flange 98 in the first direction D1. As illustrated in
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Advantages of the center-side cam portions 60 and the pressure-side cam portions 90 will now be described. When the rotation speed of the engine increases so that a rotation driving force input to the input gear 35 and the clutch housing 30 is thereby allowed to be transferred to the output shaft 15 through the clutch center 40, a rotation force in the first circumferential direction S1 is applied to the pressure plate 70, as illustrated in
On the other hand, when the rotation speed of the output shaft 15 exceeds the rotation speed of the input gear 35 and the clutch housing 30 and a back torque is generated, a rotation force in the first circumferential direction S1 is applied to the clutch center 40, as illustrated in
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When the pressure plate 70 is brought into contact with the stopper plate 100, the pressure-side slipper cam surface 90S and the center-side slipper cam surface 60S are in contact with each other in an area of about 50% or more and about 90% or less of the area of the pressure-side slipper cam surface 90S and about 50% or more and about 90% or less of the area of the center-side slipper cam surface 60S, for example. When the pressure plate 70 is brought into contact with the stopper plate 100, the pressure springs 25 are separated from the side walls of the spring housing portions 84. That is, the pressure springs 25 are not sandwiched between the bosses 54 and the spring housing portions 84, and application of excessive stress to the bosses 54 is suppressed.
Here, a length L1 in the circumferential directions S (see
When seen in the axial directions of the output shaft 15, an angle θ1 (see
A length L3 in the circumferential directions S (see
When seen in the axial directions of the output shaft 15, an angle θ3 (see
The clutch device 10 is filled with a predetermined amount of clutch oil. Clutch oil is distributed in the clutch center 40 and the pressure plate 70 through the hollow portion 15H of the output shaft 15, and then is supplied to the input-side rotating plates 20 and the output-side rotating plates 22 through the gap between the center-side fitting portion 58 and the pressure-side fitting portion 88 and the oil flow holes 49. Clutch oil reduces or prevents absorption of heat and abrasion of the friction members. The clutch device 10 according to this preferred embodiment is a so-called multiplate wet friction clutch device.
Operation of the clutch device 10 according to this preferred embodiment will now be described. As described above, the clutch device 10 is disposed between the engine and the transmission of the motorcycle, and allows or interrupts transfer of a rotation driving force of the engine to the transmission by driver's clutch operation (e.g., driver's operation of a clutch operation lever or an operation button).
In the clutch device 10, in a case where the driver of the motorcycle does not perform clutch operation (e.g., a case where the driver does not operate a clutch operation lever), a clutch release mechanism (not shown) does not press the push rod 16A, and thus, the pressure plate 70 presses the input-side rotating plates 20 with a biasing force (elastic force) of the pressure springs 25. Accordingly, the clutch center 40 enters a clutch-ON state (i.e., clutch engaged state) in which the input-side rotating plates 20 and the output-side rotating plates 22 are pushed against each other to be friction coupled, and is rotationally driven. That is, a rotation driving force of the engine is transferred to the clutch center 40, and the output shaft 15 is rotationally driven.
In the clutch-ON state, clutch oil distributed in the hollow portion H of the output shaft 15 and having flowed out from the distal end 15T of the output shaft 15 is dropped or spattered in the cylindrical portion 80 and attached to the cylindrical portion 80 (see arrow F in
On the other hand, in the clutch device 10, when the driver of the motorcycle performs clutch operation (e.g., the driver operates the clutch operation lever) in the clutch-ON state, the clutch release mechanism (not shown) presses the push rod 16A, and thus, the pressure plate 70 is displaced in a direction away from the clutch center 40 (second direction D2) against a biasing force of the pressure springs 25. Accordingly, the clutch center 40 enters a clutch-OFF state (clutch disengaged stage) in which friction coupling between the input-side rotating plates 20 and the output-side rotating plates 22 is canceled, and thus, rotational driving attenuates or stops. That is, a rotation driving force of the engine is interrupted to the clutch center 40. The pressure plate 70 moves in the second direction D2 when the state where the clutch is engaged (clutch ON state) is switched to the state where the clutch is disengaged (clutch OFF state) through the half-clutch state by clutch operation of the driver.
In the clutch-OFF state, clutch oil distributed in the hollow portion H of the output shaft 15 and having flowed out of the distal end 15T of the output shaft 15 is guided into the clutch center 40 in the same or substantially the same manner as in the clutch-ON state. At this time, since the pressure plate 70 is separated from the clutch center 40, the amount of fitting between the pressure plate 70 and each of the center-side fitting portion 58 and the pressure-side fitting portion 88 decreases. As a result, clutch oil in the cylindrical portion 80 actively flows out of the clutch center 40, and is distributed to portions in the clutch device 10. In particular, clutch oil can be actively guided to gaps between the input-side rotating plates 20 and the output-side rotating plates 22 separated from each other.
Then, when the driver cancels the clutch operation lever in the clutch-OFF state, pressing of the pressure plate 70 by the clutch release mechanism (not shown) through the push member 16B is canceled, and thus, the pressure plate 70 is displaced with a biasing force of the pressure springs 25 to a direction (first direction D1) of approaching the clutch center 40.
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As described above, in the clutch device 110 according to the second preferred embodiment and the clutch device 210 according to the third preferred embodiment, in each of the half-clutch state, the clutch disengaged state, and the state where the pressure plate 70 is in contact with the stopper plate 100, a portion of one of the center-side fitting teeth 47 overlap with a portion of one of the pressure-side fitting teeth 77 when seen in the radial directions of the output shaft 15. That is, in each of the half-clutch state, the clutch disengaged state, and the state where the pressure plate 70 is in contact with the stopper plate 100, since no gap is formed between the pressure-side fitting teeth 77 and the center-side fitting teeth 47 in the directions D, clutch oil flowing in the clutch center 40 does not flow directly to the outside and flows to the pressure plate 70, for example. Accordingly, a larger amount of clutch oil can be supplied to the output-side rotating plates 22 and the input-side rotating plates 20 held by the pressure plate 70.
In the clutch device 110 according to the second preferred embodiment and the clutch device 210 according to the third preferred embodiment, when seen in the radial directions of the output shaft 15, the pair of side surfaces 77F of each of the pressure-side fitting teeth 77 in the circumferential directions S tilt to approach each other in the first direction D1. In this configuration, the pressure plate 70 can be easily moved toward or away from the clutch center 40.
In the clutch device 110 according to the second preferred embodiment and the clutch device 210 according to the third preferred embodiment, in the clutch engaged state, the distance LX between the center-side fitting teeth 47 and the pressure-side fitting teeth 77 in the radial directions S may be larger than the distance LZ between the ends 47T of the center-side fitting teeth 47 in the second direction D2 and the pressure plate 70 in the directions D. In this configuration, clutch oil more easily flows in the gap between the pressure-side fitting teeth 77 and the center-side fitting teeth 47.
In the clutch device 110 according to the second preferred embodiment and the clutch device 210 according to the third preferred embodiment, when the temperature of each of the clutch device 110 and the clutch device 210 changes in a usable temperature range from a low temperature range to a high temperature range, a portion of one of the center-side fitting teeth 47 overlap with a portion of one of the pressure-side fitting teeth 77 when seen in the radial directions of the output shaft 15, over the entire usable temperature range. With this configuration, in the usable temperature range of the clutch device 110 and the clutch device 210, no gap is formed between the pressure-side fitting teeth 77 and the center-side fitting teeth 47 in the directions D, and thus, clutch oil flowing in the clutch center 40 does not flow directly to the outside but flows to the pressure plate 70, for example. Accordingly, a larger amount of clutch oil can be supplied to the output-side rotating plates 22 and the input-side rotating plates 20 held by the pressure plate 70.
Fourth Preferred EmbodimentThe clutch center 340 is housed in a clutch housing 30 (see
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The output shaft holding portion 350 has a cylindrical shape. The output shaft holding portion 350 has an insertion hole 351 in which the output shaft 15 (see
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The pressure plate 370 is movable toward or away from the clutch center 340 and rotatable relative to the clutch center 340. The pressure plate 370 is configured to press the input-side rotating plates 20 and the output-side rotating plates 22. The pressure plate 370 is disposed coaxially with the clutch center 340 and the clutch housing 30. The pressure plate 370 includes a cylindrical body 372, and the flange 398 extending radially outward from the outer edge of the body 372. The pressure plate 370 includes the plurality of output-side rotating plates 22 arranged alternately with the input-side rotating plates 20 in the directions D. In this preferred embodiment, the output-side rotating plates 22 are held only by the pressure plate 370.
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The cylindrical portion 380 has a cylindrical shape. The cylindrical portion 380 is formed integrally with the pressure-side cam portions 90. The cylindrical portion 380 houses a distal end 15T of the output shaft 15 (see
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The output-side rotating plates 22 are held by the spline fitting portion 376 of the pressure plate 370. The output-side rotating plates 22 are held by the pressure-side fitting teeth 377 and the spline grooves 378 by spline-fitting. The output-side rotating plates 22 are displaceable along the axial direction of the pressure plate 370. The output-side rotating plates 22 are rotatable together with the pressure plate 370.
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The foregoing description is directed to the preferred embodiments of the present disclosure. The preferred embodiments described above, however, are merely examples, and the present disclosure can be performed in various modes and through various preferred embodiments.
In the preferred embodiments described above, the clutch devices 10, 110, 210, and 310 are so-called manual clutches each configured to allow or interrupt transfer of a rotation driving force of an engine to a transmission by clutch operation of a driver (e.g., operation of a clutch operation lever by a driver), but are not limited to such clutches. The clutch devices 10, 110, 210, and 310 may also be so-called automated clutches each configured to allow or interrupt transfer of a rotation driving force of an engine to a transmission automatically by a clutch actuator.
In each of the preferred embodiments described above, the output shaft holding portion 50 and the outer peripheral wall 45 are integrally formed in the clutch center 40, but the present disclosure is not limited to this example. For example, the clutch center 40 may include a first member including the output shaft holding portion 50 and a second member formed as a separate component from the first member and including the outer peripheral wall 45 so that the first member and the second member are fitted to each other in application.
In the fourth preferred embodiment, the clutch center 340 does not hold the output-side rotating plates 22, but the present disclosure is not limited to this example. The clutch center 340 may include center-side fitting teeth having a configuration similar to the pressure-side fitting teeth 77 of the first preferred embodiment capable of holding the output-side rotating plates 22.
The overlapping state of the pressure-side fitting teeth and the center-side fitting teeth in the half-clutch state recited in claims is irrelevant to whether or not to visibly confirm in the state where the input-side rotating plates and the output-side rotating plates are attached to the clutch center and the pressure plate. In other words, if the overlapping state of the pressure-side fitting teeth and the center-side fitting teeth conforms to the state recited in claims with the input-side rotating plates and the output-side rotating plates attached to the clutch center and the pressure plate, this overlapping state is included in the scope of the claims even if it cannot be visibly confirmed.
While preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above, it is to be understood that variations and modifications will be apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention. The scope of the present invention, therefore, is to be determined solely by the following claims.
Claims
1. A clutch device to allow or interrupt transfer of a rotation driving force of an input shaft to an output shaft, the clutch device comprising:
- a clutch center housed in a clutch housing holding a plurality of input-side rotating plates to be rotationally driven by rotational driving of the input shaft, the clutch center being operable to hold a plurality of output-side rotating plates and to be rotationally driven together with the output shaft, the input-side rotating plates and the output-side rotating plates being alternately arranged; and
- a pressure plate movable toward or away from the clutch center and rotatable relative to the clutch center to press the input-side rotating plates and the output-side rotating plates; wherein
- the pressure plate includes: a plurality of pressure-side fitting teeth holding at least one of the output-side rotating plates and arranged in circumferential directions,
- the clutch center includes: an output shaft holding portion to which the output shaft is coupled; an outer peripheral wall located radially outward of the output shaft holding portion and integral with the output shaft holding portion; and a plurality of center-side fitting teeth holding the output-side rotating plates, projecting radially outward from an outer peripheral surface of the outer peripheral wall, and arranged in circumferential directions;
- assuming a direction in which the pressure plate approaches the clutch center is a first direction and a direction in which the pressure plate moves away from the clutch center is a second direction, the pressure plate is movable in the second direction when a clutch engaged state shifts to a clutch disengaged state through a half-clutch state by clutch operation of a driver; and
- in the half-clutch state, a portion of one of the center-side fitting teeth overlap with a portion of one of the pressure-side fitting teeth when seen in radial directions of the output shaft.
2. The clutch device according to claim 1, wherein
- assuming a direction in which the pressure plate moves toward or away from the clutch center is a movement direction, a direction in which the pressure plate approaches the clutch center is a first direction, and a direction in which the pressure plate moves away from the clutch center is a second direction, in the clutch engaged state, a distance between the center-side fitting teeth and the pressure-side fitting teeth in the radial directions is larger than a distance between ends of the center-side fitting teeth in the second direction and the pressure plate in the movement direction.
3. The clutch device according to claim 1, wherein when a temperature of the clutch device changes in a usable temperature range from a low temperature range to a high temperature range, a portion of one of the center-side fitting teeth overlap with a portion of one of the pressure-side fitting teeth when seen in the radial directions of the output shaft, over the entire usable temperature range.
4. A motorcycle comprising the clutch device according to claim 1.
5. A clutch device to allow or interrupt transfer of a rotation driving force of an input shaft to an output shaft, the clutch device comprising:
- a clutch center housed in a clutch housing holding a plurality of input-side rotating plates to be rotationally driven by rotational driving of the input shaft, the clutch center being operable to hold a plurality of output-side rotating plates and to be rotationally driven together with the output shaft, the input-side rotating plates and the output-side rotating plates being alternately arranged; and
- a pressure plate movable toward or away from the clutch center and rotatable relative to the clutch center to press the input-side rotating plates and the output-side rotating plates; wherein
- the pressure plate includes: a plurality of pressure-side fitting teeth holding at least one of the output-side rotating plates and arranged in circumferential directions;
- the clutch center includes: an output shaft holding portion to which the output shaft is coupled; an outer peripheral wall located radially outward of the output shaft holding portion; and a plurality of center-side fitting teeth holding the output-side rotating plates, projecting radially outward from an outer peripheral surface of the outer peripheral wall, and arranged in circumferential directions;
- in the half-clutch state, a portion of one of the center-side fitting teeth overlap with a portion of one of the pressure-side fitting teeth when seen in radial directions of the output shaft; and
- assuming a direction in which the pressure plate approaches the clutch center is a first direction and a direction in which the pressure plate moves away from the clutch center is a second direction, a pair of side surfaces of each of the pressure-side fitting teeth in the circumferential directions tilts to approach each other in the first direction when seen in the radial directions of the output shaft.
6. A clutch device to allow or interrupt transfer of a rotation driving force of an input shaft to an output shaft, the clutch device comprising:
- a clutch center housed in a clutch housing holding a plurality of input-side rotating plates to be rotationally driven by rotational driving of the input shaft, the clutch center being operable to hold a plurality of output-side rotating plates and to be rotationally driven together with the output shaft, the input-side rotating plates and the output-side rotating plates being alternately arranged; and
- a pressure plate movable toward or away from the clutch center and rotatable relative to the clutch center to press the input-side rotating plates and the output-side rotating plates; wherein
- the pressure plate includes: a plurality of pressure-side fitting teeth holding at least one of the output-side rotating plates and arranged in circumferential directions;
- the clutch center includes: an output shaft holding portion to which the output shaft is coupled; an outer peripheral wall located radially outward of the output shaft holding portion and integral with the output shaft holding portion; and a plurality of center-side fitting teeth holding the output-side rotating plates, projecting radially outward from an outer peripheral surface of the outer peripheral wall, and arranged in circumferential directions;
- assuming a direction in which the pressure plate approaches the clutch center is a first direction and a direction in which the pressure plate moves away from the clutch center is a second direction, the pressure plate is movable in the second direction when a clutch engaged state shifts to a clutch disengaged state through a half-clutch state by clutch operation of a driver; and
- in the clutch disengaged state, a portion of one of the center-side fitting teeth overlap with a portion of one of the pressure-side fitting teeth when seen in radial directions of the output shaft.
7. A clutch device to allow or interrupt transfer of a rotation driving force of an input shaft to an output shaft, the clutch device comprising:
- a clutch center housed in a clutch housing holding a plurality of input-side rotating plates to be rotationally driven by rotational driving of the input shaft, the clutch center being operable to hold a plurality of output-side rotating plates and to be rotationally driven together with the output shaft, the input-side rotating plates and the output-side rotating plates being alternately arranged; and
- a pressure plate movable toward or away from the clutch center and rotatable relative to the clutch center to press the input-side rotating plates and the output-side rotating plates; wherein
- the pressure plate includes: a plurality of pressure-side fitting teeth holding at least one of the output-side rotating plates and arranged in circumferential directions;
- the clutch center includes: an output shaft holding portion to which the output shaft is coupled; an outer peripheral wall located radially outward of the output shaft holding portion; and a plurality of center-side fitting teeth holding the output-side rotating plates, projecting radially outward from an outer peripheral surface of the outer peripheral wall, and arranged in circumferential directions;
- in the clutch disengaged state, a portion of one of the center-side fitting teeth overlap with a portion of one of the pressure-side fitting teeth when seen in radial directions of the output shaft; and
- assuming a direction in which the pressure plate approaches the clutch center is a first direction and a direction in which the pressure plate moves away from the clutch center is a second direction, a pair of side surfaces of each of the pressure-side fitting teeth in the circumferential directions tilts to approach each other in the first direction when seen in the radial directions of the output shaft.
8. A clutch device to allow or interrupt transfer of a rotation driving force of an input shaft to an output shaft, the clutch device comprising:
- a clutch center housed in a clutch housing holding a plurality of input-side rotating plates to be rotationally driven by rotational driving of the input shaft, the clutch center being operable to hold a plurality of output-side rotating plates and to be rotationally driven together with the output shaft, the input-side rotating plates and the output-side rotating plates being alternately arranged;
- a pressure plate movable toward or away from the clutch center and rotatable relative to the clutch center to press the input-side rotating plates and the output-side rotating plates; and
- a stopper plate operable to contact the pressure plate and to suppress separation of the pressure plate from the clutch center by a predetermined distance or more; wherein
- the pressure plate includes: a plurality of pressure-side fitting teeth holding at least one of the output-side rotating plates and arranged in circumferential directions;
- the clutch center includes: an output shaft holding portion to which the output shaft is coupled; an outer peripheral wall located radially outward of the output shaft holding portion; and a plurality of center-side fitting teeth holding the output-side rotating plates, projecting radially outward from an outer peripheral surface of the outer peripheral wall, and arranged in circumferential directions; and
- in a state where the pressure plate is in contact with the stopper plate, a portion of one of the center-side fitting teeth overlap with a portion of one of the pressure-side fitting teeth when seen in radial directions of the output shaft.
9. The clutch device according to claim 8, wherein
- assuming a direction in which the pressure plate approaches the clutch center is a first direction and a direction in which the pressure plate moves away from the clutch center is a second direction, a pair of side surfaces of each of the pressure-side fitting teeth in the circumferential directions tilts to approach each other in the first direction when seen in the radial directions of the output shaft.
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Type: Grant
Filed: Jul 5, 2023
Date of Patent: Oct 17, 2023
Assignee: KABUSHIKI KAISHA F.C.C. (Shizuoka)
Inventors: Junichi Nishikawa (Hamamatsu), Jun Komukai (Hamamatsu), Satoshi Ota (Hamamatsu)
Primary Examiner: Lori Wu
Application Number: 18/218,292